Karen revealed how she took care of herself while filming the difficult story (Picture: ITV)

A devastating storyline is set to hit Emmerdale as Lydia’s (Karen Blick) former flame makes the ultimate betrayal and rapes her in harrowing scenes.

For any actress undertaking such a heartbreaking storyline it’s hugely important their wellbeing is protected, and in the lead up to Lydia’s rape storyline, actress Karen Blick has revealed how she made sure to put herself first while portraying Lydia’s agony as authentically as possible.

Lydia was shocked when Craig (Ben Addis), the father of her dead son, showed up in the village. But they quickly struck up a friendship with viewers quickly becoming aware Craig was developing strong feelings for the mother of his child.

Hindsight is 20/20 vision, and it now seems there have been many red flags present – the way he rocked up to her house having snuck her address from her CV, the way he reacted every time her husband was mentioned. The way he pressured her into spending time with him. It all leads up to the moment that will change her life forever.

‘I actually began really looking after myself. That was the first thing. I made sure I was in a good, strong physical and psychological place in order to tackle this story,’ Karen revealed to Metro.co.uk. She took up a combination of Yoga and Hypnotherapy, and worked with a close friend on crystal healing in a bid to deal with the strong emotions that would come from a day of filming.

‘I could feel myself subconsciously holding myself on set in a certain way having processed what’s happened. Just being able to physically get rid of that was really helpful. Meditation,’ she said.

In the latest twist in the tale, Craig convinces Lydia to take him to where Toby’s ashes are scattered. There’s a charged moment between them afterwards, which prompts Lydia to return to work the next day to hand in her notice. But Craig manipulates her into rescinding it, and then reveals his true feelings for her.

When she rebuffs him, explaining she loves her husband and there’s no chance of anything between them, Craig decides to take what he wants anyway, and rapes her.

Craig is set to rape Lydia in harrowing scenes (Picture: ITV)

Karen revealed she had a daily ritual to check in with herself to make sure she wasn’t being lost in these challenging scenes.

‘Coming home from filming challenging scenes, just having a check-in with myself – how are you feeling? What’s Lydia, what’s you?’ she explained. ‘A therapist gave me some great advice and said “If you imagine this is happening to a really good friend – it’s not you, it’s a really good friend.”’

Karen revealed that on one occasion as she became so overwhelmed, using this technique helped to create emotional boundaries between her and her character.

More: Trending

She said: ‘I could feel myself getting overwhelmed with emotion. I thought “I need to manage this in some way,” and I just kind of said, “Poor Lydia. Poor, poor Lydia.” It gave me like a barrier between the two of us and a kind of a grounding.’

With so much work going into Karen protecting herself, it demonstrates just how difficult these scenes were to film, let alone how they will be to watch.

So what happens next for Lydia – will she tell Sam? Or will Craig make sure she never tells anyone?

MORE : Emmerdale legend Dean Andrews shares emotional news just weeks after getting married

MORE : Emmerdale crash pictures ‘confirm’ which major character dies in spectacular stunt horror

Karen took important steps to safeguard herself.